Patio Oasis

We’ve now been in our house for a full year, settled in and ready to make some updates to enjoy it to its potential! Items on the list, include updating our laundry room ( which I love already ), bathroom updates and closet organizing. First on the list as soon as Spring hit was a patio update.

Our deck gets super hot when the sun beats down ( all morning and into late afternoon ) so I knew I wanted an outdoor rug for under the table. We had string lights around the railings last year and it felt so cozy. I wanted to do something similar with that and spruce up the nighttime lighting a little.

I ordered these Globe Lights ( similar here ) and we hit up the hardware store for a few supplies, read a few ‘how-to” blogs and made our own oasis. We are so happy with how it turned out and now just need the rain to stop so we can actually enjoy it!

Not pictured, I found some great patio chair cushions at a consignment store. I have been looking for so long and they are all so expensive! They really complete the table and make it comfortable to sit outside and bat watch at night!

Hanging Globe Lights

(2) – 8 foot 2″x2″s
(4) – 4″ wood screws
(4) – eye hooks
Deck Paint

we measured the area of the deck where the lights would be hung to get an idea of how long a strand to order. factoring in the “droopage”, we decided on the 50ft strand and it’s perfect. ( the lead on the ends is NOT very long so if you needed to plug in multiple strands it would not be an issue ).

next, we painted the 2×2’s with the same color paint as the deck so it would blend in. ( we originally had metal rods but decided wood was a better option ).

attached an eye hook to the top of the 2×2 ( we did not cut these at all ). the other two hooks we attached to the underside of the soffit. another option would be to add 2×2’s against the house depending on how your area is laid out.

we drilled the 2×2 into the railing with a 4″ screw to secure. you may want to add a wedge to the bottom if there is a gap between the 2×2 and the railing post to keep it sturdy.

hang lights!

That last step took us FOREVER. First we had too much overhang on one side, then we had too much on the other, then we decided we want extra on the first side for the extension cord and plug. It was basically an amazing shoulder workout!

2 things to note: (1) test out the lights before you hang them. i screwed in 1 bulb to make sure the strand worked. i recommend not screwing in the bulbs until the strand is completely in place. the bulbs are very delicate and like I said, we moved them about four times and it just makes life easier. (2) wrap the cord around the eye hooks to ensure they are secure and won’t slide out.